New training available on deepfake content
Deepfakes are a way of changing how people look and sound in media using artificial intelligence (AI). Deepfake content such as images or sound make it difficult to identify people, and staff need to try and keep one step ahead of the criminals exploiting this technology.
Advances in technology mean how we look or sound can be manipulated. The person we see or hear may not be that person. They may look and sound the same, but what they are saying or doing isn’t real. The fast pace of technological advances in this area brings challenges for officers and staff identifying, and investigating crimes involving deepfakes.
Deepfake content training
Advice and guidance is available, and there is information to help identify deepfake content and to support victims. This new digital training on deepfakes helps staff to identify:
- what a deepfake is
- how deepfakes enable illegal activities
- how to spot a deepfake
- how frontline officers and staff can respond
- how to provide victim care and safeguarding
Deepfake content is easy for anyone to create using low cost or free applications. Software is readily available and it’s often impossible to tell genuine content from fake content, even if it’s someone you know well.
The National Policing Digital Strategy 2020-2030 identifies that more than 90% of reported crime now has a digital element. This poses both challenges and opportunities for police investigations.
The College’s Digital Intelligence and Investigation Programme has developed training on deepfake images and sound. The training is available to all forces on the College Learn platform (you will need to register and log in).